Parents, carers and young people are being asked to help shape special educational needs services across West Northamptonshire through a series of community events this month. West Northamptonshire Council has organised three Community Conversations to gather views for its new SEND and Inclusion Strategy, which will run from 2027 to 2030. The current strategy reaches its final year in 2026.
Each session runs from 10am to 2pm and uses the Whose Shoes? interactive board game to encourage people to share their experiences. The method “embeds co‑production through empathy and compassion – walking in my shoes”, according to its creators. The first event takes place on Tuesday 9 June at Northampton Museum’s Central Hall, with further dates at Daventry iCON Centre on Thursday 11 June and Brackley Football Club on Tuesday 16 June. A relaxed coffee morning hosted by West Northants Voices in Partnership, the area’s Parent Carer Forum, follows at Northampton Museum on Wednesday 17 June from 10am to midday.
All Community Conversations include refreshments and lunch, and registration is available through Eventbrite. People unable to attend in person can fill in an online survey until 17 June. The council says feedback will directly shape a draft document due for public consultation in September, with the final strategy expected later this year. The new plan will align with the national Every Child Achieving and Thriving programme.
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